Effects of alcohol on skin and how to repair the damage (2023)

Looking to combat your grey complexion after a few too many? We spoke to the experts about the effects of alcohol on skin, why drink causes these issues and how you can lessen the damage.

There are so many health benefits of not drinking alcohol (opens in new tab), but we understand that not everyone wants to stop drinking alcohol (opens in new tab) completely. That being said, if you’re consuming alcohol frequently, chances are you're not getting the sleep you need either, which can leave you with dark circles under the eyes (opens in new tab) and a whole plethora of other skin issues.

From dullness and enlarged pores, to blotchiness, increased redness and puffiness - we've explored how breaking down alcohol in the body can trigger these skin side effects. Plus the drinks you need to steer clear of if you're keen to beat boozy breakouts.

What are the effects of alcohol on skin?

Drinking alcohol results in two things. Dehydration and inflammation. Here, we've gone into detail about just how dehydration and inflammation effects the skin and why you might want to stick to sparkling water on your evenings out.

The effects of dehydration from alcohol

• Loss of elasticity, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin
• Dryness
• Dullness
• Enlarged pores

“Alcohol is known to dehydrate the skin, depriving it of the moisture and nutrients it needs to keep our complexion looking radiant, supple and youthful," says Dr Rita Rakus (opens in new tab), Cosmetic Doctor.

"Alcohol removes the fluid in the skin which can increase the appearance of wrinkles, dryness and sagging skin. As alcohol is a diuretic, it means that it actively draws water away from the body, significantly lowering the body’s water level, therefore causing dehydration. Dehydrated skin can look dry and unhealthy, both in the colour of the skin as well as the texture."

According to Dr Ioannis Liakas, Medical Director at Vie Aesthetics, (opens in new tab) dehydration can also lead to congestion, "Dehydration due to alcohol can also dilate the pores of the skin, leading to an increase of blackheads and whiteheads. If this is poorly treated, it can go on to cause acne and rosacea. In the long term, this ages skin and can cause permanent scarring."

The effects of inflammation from alcohol

• Increased redness or flushing of the skin
• Acne (opens in new tab)
• Blotchiness
• Puffiness
• Rosacea

GP and online doctor at MedExpress, Dr Clare Morrison, sheds some light on exactly how inflammation can cause skin issues. “Alcoholic drinks, notably cocktails and wine, are incredibly high in sugar, and this will show in your skin if you are consuming more than the recommended amount. Sugar [in alcoholic drinks] has been shown to trigger the hormone IGF-1, which causes an overproduction of oil in your skin, increasing your chances of breakouts or acne.”

If you suffer from the skin condition rosacea, it’s highly likely that alcohol will exacerbate your symptoms. “Rosacea is a condition that is triggered by alcohol consumption – especially red wine – as it’s an inflammatory condition, so when we drink alcohol we’re increasing chances of a flare-up," says Dr Clare.

"Alcohol consumption is also a culprit for causing inflammatory signals within the skin causing redness and flushing due to its vasodilatory effect (it opens up the blood vessels and increases the blood flow above the normal levels)," explains Dr Ana, Aesthetic Doctor at Kat & Co (opens in new tab). "Alcohol is also well known for leading to fluid retention and puffiness across the face. Rosacea, a challenging chronic inflammatory condition of the skin is very commonly triggered and driven by alcohol."

With continued alcohol use, a 2021 study (opens in new tab) by the Department of Dermatology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine revealed that, "Alcohol misuse can present with jaundice, pruritus (itchy skin), pigmentary alterations, urticaria (hives), hair and nail changes, and oral changes. It is also a risk factor for skin cancer and infections." So, alcohol is certainly a substance that should be consumed in moderation or better yet, not at all!

The worst alcoholic drinks for your skin

From research into the types of alcoholic drinks and their effect on the skin, it’s fair to say that some are worse than others. 'The higher the alcohol content the worse the impact on the skin, therefore it is important to stick to the recommended consumption levels,' says Dr Ana, Aesthetic Doctor at Kat & Co. (opens in new tab)

Of course, drinking full stop will aggravate skin but if you want to enjoy a tipple or two, we ranked the most common drinks from worst to best for your skin...

Worst: Dark spirits (whiskey, scotch, brandy, cognac, dark rum)

If you’re partial to a few JD and cokes on a night out, then you may find yourself waking up with awful hangovers. In fact, dark spirits are generally make for the worst hangovers and are the worst culprits for bad skin.

Dark spirits, such as whiskey and brandy contain congeners – chemicals such as tannings and methanol which are created in the fermentation process – and these make hangovers worse.

The alcohol content or ABV (alcohol by volume) is generally higher in dark liquor too and according to Dr Ana, dark liquors have, 'the highest alcohol content,' meaning their effect on skin can be much worse than others.

Red wine

Despite red wine being hailed as the ‘healthiest’ choice of alcohol because it contains antioxidants, it is actually one of the most damaging alcohols for your skin. This is because red wine tends to be unfiltered. And according to Dr Ana, 'Unfiltered red wine requires higher levels of processing by the body.'

Essentially, because red vino is unfiltered, the liver and kidneys have to work harder to process it, and it’s the most likely booze to cause flushing, redness, and blotchy skin – which is bad news if you already suffer from a skin condition that causes redness, such as rosacea.

Cocktails

Everyone loves holding a fancy cocktail glass in their hand, but your faves like Pornstar Martinis and Cosmopolitans are also bad news if you want to keep a clear complexion as the high sugar content in most cocktails can lead to inflammation, which increases cell damage and is a cause of acne. Dr Ana explains, "Cocktails are extremely high in sugar levels leading to glycation." The terrible news? Glycation is a natural process in the body in which sugar molecules attach themselves to proteins including collagen and break them down. This means loss of elastin and more wrinkles.

The high sugar levels of cocktails can also leave skin looking dull and sallow. So next time you’re perusing the menu on a night out, bear in mind that a Margarita is the worst offender as it contains both sugar and salt, both of which can leave skin puffy.

White wine

Unfortunately, white wine tends to be high in sugar too just like cocktails. "The high sugar content of white wine leads to a decreased levels of GAGs (Glycosaminoglycans - these support the proteins of our cells) which in turn, breaks down collagen and elastin.

Like cocktails, white wines high sugar content can also lead to dull, sallow skin and puffiness -the last thing you want for your face.

Beer

One of the least offensive alcohols for your skin is beer. "Alcohol is a toxin with very little nutrient value," says Dr Liakas."Any alcohol will negatively impact the quality, appearance and ageing of your skin. However, if it's something you are not willing to give up, there are some types of alcohol you can indulge in without feeling too guilty about its effects on your skin." One of such, is beer.

Although beer isn't ideal for the skin, according to Dr Ana, "Beer is filling so amounts tend to be limited and it has some antioxidant benefits." And according to research (opens in new tab), "Beer...contains a variety of compounds that offer both appreciated sensorial characteristics and health advantages." But this doesn't mean it's good for you. The antioxidants found in beer are limited and it should still be drunk in moderation.

Best: Clear spirits (vodka, gin, tequila, white rum, sake)

Lighter coloured drinks such as vodka, gin and tequila contain the least amount of additives and are processed by the body quickest. This means that they should have the least impact on your skin, therefore minimising potential damage.

Dr Liakas suggests, "Clear spirits can also be categorised as the ‘better’ alcoholic beverages for your skin. Gin is made of juniper berries which are labelled as ‘super foods’ ergo can improve blood circulation to the face, providing a youthful appearance for some individuals. Vodka, on the other hand, is associated with combating signs of blackheads, tightening pores and disinfecting the skin."

Although you may still suffer a hangover the next day, drinking lighter drinks may minimise your suffering slightly (and the amount of bacon sandwiches you have to consume!) because they don’t contain congeners. In fact, a study by the British Medical Association found bourbon is twice as likely to cause a hangover as the same amount of vodka.

How to reduce the effects of alcohol on your skin:

Keep hydrated. It may sound like an obvious one, but one of the most important things you can do to help your skin is to drink enough water (opens in new tab).

After a night out, Faye Purcell, Development Chemist at Q+A (opens in new tab) skincare suggests, getting a pint of H20 in, “Dehydrated skin needs to be treated from within, and plain and simple water is your best option. So, drink up before bed, and keep as hydrated as you can the next day. Leave a pint of water by your bed and drink it before you go to sleep. The next day, try infusing your water with cucumber, citrus or mint for an extra antioxidant boost.”

Drinking alcohol dehydrates your skin as your kidneys go into overdrive trying to flush out the excess liquids. "Drinking a lot of water alongside alcohol intake is advised to ensure you counteract the dehydration that alcohol may inflict," says Dr Liakas. So, it's important to get rehydrating ASAP.

Exercise regularly

As well as keeping your body in shape and taking care of your inner health, exercise improves the blood flow throughout the skin, helping to keep it looking healthy, juicy and plump. Dr Liakas agrees, "One of the ways you can improve the effects [of alcohol on the skin] is by exercising regularly. This can take care of your health from within, helping to improve the blood flow throughout the skin and enabling it to look healthy, silky and plump." Get sweating with a fun workout and this will clear your pores too.

Include supplements into your diet

Alcohol can drain the body of vitamin A, which is the vitamin responsible for cell turnover, so by taking a daily supplement you can help to encourage the cell regeneration process which you’ve inhibited by drinking alcohol. You can also take a supplement (opens in new tab) dedicated to keeping your skin, hair and nails healthy which can help repair your skin damages in an efficient manner. Other supplements that can help restore the balance to your skin include vitamins C, E, B1, B6, B2, B3 and Omega 3.

"Including supplements into your diet can encourage regeneration of cells which is often blocked if excessive drinking takes place," says Dr Liakas. "Skinade (opens in new tab) solutions are drinkable skincare supplements which contain vital nutrients that are delivered directly to your skin to counteract the damage that alcohol could have on your skin, taking such supplements, it can aid in restoring the vitamin levels & balance to your skin."

Drink non-alcoholic alternatives

Just because you're not drinking booze, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy a fancy cocktail. Known as a 'mocktail', most bars and restaurants will offer non-alcoholic alternatives to the cocktails on their menu.

There's also plenty of non-alcoholic beers and wines on the market, so if you're serious about cutting down your alcohol intake but still want something a bit more exciting than H20, there are lots to choose from.

Do your skincare before bed

This applies to everyone, whether you're drunk or sober. We've all been there but this really is important when it comes to looking after your skin.

We asked Faye what to look out for, “We know your usual skincare regime may go out of the window following a night out, so if you only do one thing after cleansing, apply a rich moisturiser that contains antioxidants and ingredients that help soothe and hydrate.”

“Applying calming and ultra-nourishing ingredients should be a priority! You want to look out for ingredients called humectants which will draw moisture from the air into your skin to replenish your cell's water levels and work best when applied to damp skin. Look for hyaluronic acid, glycerine and panthenol (Vitamin B5) on the ingredients list of your products.”

Dr Liakas was on board too, "Doing your skincare before bed applies to everyone, but it is especially important when skin damage is evident from drinking. It is recommended to cleanse thoroughly and apply a rich moisturiser which contains antioxidants and ingredients to help soothe and hydrate your skin layer. Calming products are always a safe choice to ensure any redness or inflammation is controlled and taken care of."

Sleep with an extra pillow

Believe it or not, sleeping with two pillows in bed slightly propped up is one of the best ways to minimise eye and face puffiness. This is because dark circles can be caused by fluids that tend to pool in the under-eye area if your head is lying flat.

Dr Ana recommends catching up on sleep after a night out and putting an extra pillow down too,"Ensuring a good night's sleep and avoiding becoming run down will be beneficial. Sleeping propped up may also help to reduce fluid accumulation and puffiness across the facial tissues in particular, the eyes."

It also helps to sleep in a cool, darkroom. Studies have shown a direct link between core body temperature and sleep quality, concluding that cooler temperatures do not interfere with the body’s natural REM cycle.

When you’re able to get a good night’s sleep, your skin and body can much more effectively recharge, allowing you to wake up looking and feeling refreshed.

Choose your cover-up carefully

If you're adamant that you're not leaving the house without make-up on, then always use a lightweight and moisturising foundation. To camouflage any redness in your face, try using a green-tinted primer before applying any make-up, which should help neutralise any redness.

It's best to avoid using powders if you're trying to improve your skin as they can be drying on the skin.

What happens to skin when you stop drinking alcohol

Whether you decide to cut down on drinking or completely stop, avoiding alcohol is inevitably going to be great for your skin. Dr Liakas explains, "Once one decides to stop drinking or cut down on the consumption of alcohol in general, it can have great positive impacts on your skin. The skin will look more hydrated, plumper and brighter."

Your body is an amazing regenerator and the negative effects of alcohol can be reversed if you act in good time. "The negative effects can be reversed," says Dr Liakas. "Wrinkles, pores and acne can be improved if you decide to put time and effort into your daily lifestyle and skincare regime."

Here’s what will happen to your skin when you quit drinking:

• Hydrated, plumper skin
• Fewer wrinkles
• Brighter skin
• Smaller pores
• Excessive redness will disappear
• Acne may improve
• Skin tone becomes even
• Puffiness subsides
• Flare-ups of rosacea become more infrequent

Anna Bailey stopped drinking alcohol (opens in new tab) in 2019 and has noticed a dramatic improvement in her skin, "I'm so much happier with my skin since I stopped drinking," she said. "I used to spend a fortune on skin creams and facials, and they'd barely make a difference - but quitting alcohol, even in just the first couple of weeks, had a dramatic and instant effect on my complexion."

"I have less fine lines, smoother skin and the vertical crease between my eyes, which was also SO much worse when I was hungover, has disappeared. I've also noticed small bumps on my skin and raised freckles seem to have shrunk down. I no longer suffer from 'drunks dawn' - waking up at 5am with a hangover - so my beauty sleep isn't interrupted and I don't look or feel as tired as I used to. When I was hungover, I couldn't resist gorging on sweets and greasy takeaways - and I'm sure cutting down on these has really helped as well."

If you’re struggling with the use of alcohol or are in need of help and guidance. Head to the NHS website or visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for more information.

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